Алая буква
Pearl
Butwhileshesaidit,Pearllaughed,andbegantodanceupanddownwiththehumoursomegesticulationofalittleimp,whosenextfreakmightbetoflyupthechimney.
"Artthoumychild,inverytruth?"askedHester.
Nordidsheputthequestionaltogetheridly,but,forthemoment,withaportionofgenuineearnestness;for,suchwasPearl’swonderfulintelligence,thathermotherhalfdoubtedwhethershewerenotacquaintedwiththesecretspellofherexistence,andmightnotnowrevealherself.
"Yes;IamlittlePearl!"repeatedthechild,continuingherantics.
"Thouartnotmychild!ThouartnoPearlofmine!"saidthemotherhalfplayfully;foritwasoftenthecasethatasportiveimpulsecameoverherinthemidstofherdeepestsuffering."Tellme,then,whatthouart,andwhosenttheehither?"
"Tellme,mother!"saidthechild,seriously,cominguptoHester,andpressingherselfclosetoherknees."Dothoutellme!"
"ThyHeavenlyFathersentthee!"answeredHesterPrynne.
Butshesaiditwithahesitationthatdidnotescapetheacutenessofthechild.Whethermovedonlybyherordinaryfreakishness,orbecauseanevilspiritpromptedher,sheputuphersmallforefingerandtouchedthescarletletter.
"Hedidnotsendme!"criedshe,positively."IhavenoHeavenlyFather!"
"Hush,Pearl,hush!Thoumustnottalkso!"answeredthemother.suppressingagroan."Hesentusallintotheworld.Hesentevenme,thymother
